Why AMD's notebook prospects are looking up

If you're looking for notebook power on the cheap and you're not too keen on either using Intel's integrated graphics or paying for a higher-performing, NVIDIA-made workaround (i.e., Optimus), then there's an obvious alternative mobile platform for you: AMD/ATI. AMD is gaining steam in the mobile space due to a combination of low cost and its ATI Radeon graphics solution, with Reuters reporting that the company will better than double the number of design wins this back-to-school season compared to a year ago.

HP, for instance, announced a huge revamp of its mobile lineup on Friday, and AMD was in the bulk of the new models on both the consumer and business side. In fact, many of the new notebooks are available only with AMD—Intel inside is not an option. This is a huge victory for AMD, one that looks to be part of an ongoing winning streak.